Lavrov: There is every prerequisite for visa-free travels between Russia, EU

Oct 15, 2012

RBTH

Interfax

The transition to visa-free travels between Russia and the EU is an important tool in creating a common space from the Atlantic to the Pacific, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said to reporters on Monday.

"There is every prerequisite for that and the transition to visa-free travels is a key tool to reach this goal," he said.

The list of joint steps that the EU and Russia should take to achieve this objective is being implemented and a report will be delivered to the Russia-EU summit in December on how these steps are taken and what remains to be done," Lavrov added.

He said that his conversation with EU foreign ministers lasted for about four hours; the sides discussed all items on the agenda of Russia-EU relations and also international and regional developments.

"Despite the recent frictions over energy issues, the new framework agreement and several other issues, the summit should be prepared strategically," he said.

According to Lavrov, many of the frictions stem from Russia having becoming a WTO member. "The questions are complicated but all of them can be resolved… We should be guided by strategic prospects considering that the EU is a major strategic partner of Russia… There is an understanding on both sides that we should be close to each other as possible in all spheres," Lavrov added.